You Brighten my Days ~Vellum Embossing

One of my favorite stamping techniques is embossing on vellum. I love the softness that results; although you do have to be careful not to warp your vellum with your heat tool.
Not too long ago, Laurie Schmidlin, from" Just Give me Stamps," shared a beautiful card using this technique on the Papertrey Ink blog. You can find her excellent Vellum tips and tricks tutorial here on her blog. She shares how to add inks, and also ways to attach vellum to card bases among other tips. Here is her photo from her blog of her gorgeous card:

I basically did my best to CASE  Laurie's card; using the supplies I had on hand, which was the gorgeous Altenew set, "Peony Bouquet." I also used a different die and tied the cording differently...and took a lot worse photo...but I really wanted to share these tips and tricks because they were so helpful for me! I hope you will take a look at her blog and see!

Layers of vellum, gold and white embossing and a gold "You" die cut make up my card. I also used some pretty pale pink polka dot as the under layer. The ink color underneath the peony is Tim Holtz's oxide in " Picked Raspberry" ink. I like this ink for blending behind vellum as it doesn't leave harsh smears or hard edges and requires minimal blending. (Tip to me as I tend to forget these things.)
I crisscrossed some thin gold cording and added a few sequins to finish my card. I couldn't decide whether or not to add that gold cording as it appeared a bit off to me no matter how I did it...but this is what I finally decided on.
Thanks for taking a meander here and wishing you happy stamping!

Stamping Just Because

Hi there, sweet stamping friends! I have been doing a bit of stamping here and there and can't seem to take the time to actually post on my blog here! I really do enjoy blogging and visiting other's blogs...it is such a creative way to not only gain inspiration...but peek into the lives of people I feel I almost "know" because of their sharing stories, pictures, and kind words.
There are several friends I know who are going through health struggles, both personally and through these blogs. I've made a few cards that are encouragement and faith based that I hope to share in the next few days here.
This one is using a new-to-me set from Papertrey Ink, Brushed Birds. I really liked the sentiment, and I always fall for any type of bird on cards, and this set has several that you can change up the colors any way you want. I have never seen a pink bird...but I kind of like it!

"Serenity is quiet courage."
I recall reading a definition of meekness that stuck with me because it encapsulated the meaning well.  The author stated that sometimes meekness is misunderstood as being weak, or one who is easily walked upon, or subjection of wills. But the meaning that was given is "Meekness is restrained strength or strength under control," the greatest of all strengths. True meekness combines gentleness and strength. My Mom possessed this trait more than anyone I know as she dealt with the debilitating illness of M.S. for many years. I saw in her a gentleness, yet powerful strength...something to be admired!
So I am wondering if this serenity definition is similar.
The bird is perched on vines from another PTI stamp set, "Elegant Embellishments." I die cut several small floral and tucked them in here and there. Nuvo gold glitter drops were used in the corners for embellishments that are easy to mail.
Thanks for your visit today and may you be blessed!

Power and Spark Challenge~Fabric Inspired!

Hi friends! We're having such balmy pre-Spring weather today!! I know snow is still going to make an occasional appearance...but today the wind is blowing warm breezes.
I just purchased a new pillow for my stamp room! I had acquired a couple of gift cards to Pier 1 so I splurged and this little piece of embroidery brings so much cheer to my space.
So I made a card inspired by my pillow fabric to participate in March's Power and Spark Challenge~using fabric as your inspiration.  Allison Cope leads this challenge, and if you visit the Power Poppy blog, she shares a lot of Pinterest inspired boards!
Here is the fabric (just an up close of the pillow.)

I perused all of my Power Poppy stamps and wanted to make a bright card...so I chose the "Folk Heart" stamps and made this card:

I had so much fun with this card, coloring with copics and using a mixture of corals, hot pinks, brilliant blues and sunny yellows! I added a colored button and twine to the top corner and used some fun gingham papers...and I actually think it's one of the cutest cards I've made in awhile. Every once in awhile, I am pretty happy with a card. I really wanted to ground the image, so I just cut out the dies twice with two different different gingham in yellow and coral...and layered the coral gingham to the bottom of the die cut.
That's it, thanks so much for stopping by! I so appreciate it when you do and delight in your comments! Blessings on your day!